In this Fast Take episode, Ryan and Rich dive into The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang — a standalone military fantasy that blends elemental magic, family bonds, and the brutal cost of war. This spoiler-free review covers what makes the book worth reading, and what might hold some readers back. From the Avatar: The Last Airbender-inspired power system to gut-punch emotional moments and cinematic battle sequences, the hosts explore how this story balances high-stakes action with deeply human themes of legacy and grief.

Rated 7/10 – BUY, this one’s for readers craving an emotional standalone that hits hard and stays with you. But fair warning: it will rip your heart out and stomp on it.

Tune in for:

• Why this feels more like “an amazing story” than just “an amazing fantasy”

• The magic system and worldbuilding highs

• How ML Wang’s self-published debut earned its viral BookTok fame

• Whether it lives up to the hype

Hot Take Books: where we read hot books and give you hotter takes.